Getting in gear on a new park

Mike Gyra is doing it again.

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By BARRY PASTER

capecodtimes.com

By BARRY PASTER

Posted Nov. 25, 2012 at 2:00 AM

By BARRY PASTER

Posted Nov. 25, 2012 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

Mike Gyra is doing it again.

You'd think after leading a group of students, parents and outside volunteers to metamorphose the center courtyard of Barnstable High School into the Cobb Astro Park, longtime science teacher Mike Gyra would take a rest. That project has taken eight years so far, and is still incomplete — by design.

The architecturally Greek themed Astro Park features an astronomy observatory with a retractable roof; outside telescope mounts; a memorial garden dedicated to deceased Barnstable High grads, faculty and staff; a large amphitheater with a performance stage; a human sundial; sculptures; memorial benches; and a Pathway of Discovery, showcasing an eclectic collection of busts of noted historical figures, like Plato, Shakespeare, Einstein, Picasso and baseball's Jackie Robinson.

Because the Astro Park is in the middle of the high school, and there is no access for heavy earth-moving equipment, all of the materials have to be carried in by bucket or wheelbarrow. Similarly, debris has to be carried out by hand, giving the phrase "labor-intensive" amplified meaning.

In Mike's world, the Astro Park may never be finished. He and his students have new ideas for the park seemingly daily. For Mike, it's all about the kids. So each generation of students at Barnstable High gets to contribute to an ongoing project that has tangible, lasting results — a gratifying educational experience. Significantly, none of it has cost taxpayers anything.

And "rest" apparently isn't in Mike Gyra's vocabulary. Mike is all energy, all the time. He bubbles with enthusiasm whenever he talks about a project or his beloved sciences. As colleague and good friend, English teacher Ed O'Toole says, "Mike hates to miss an opportunity to make things better for everybody."

So, when Barnstable's new school superintendent, Mary Czajkowski, approached Mike about undertaking a similar project to remake an overgrown courtyard at the Barnstable United Elementary on Osterville-West Barnstable Road in Marstons Mills (the old middle school, which now houses fourth and fifth graders), Mike said, "Yes," after consulting with his wife and grant writer, former English teacher Mary Gyra. Czajkowski spotted a "doer" in Mike soon after taking the superintendent job last year.

The clean-up and transformation of Barnstable United's courtyard are well under way. Plans include a facsimile of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Mike's already corralled parents, community leaders, business people, assorted volunteers, including Czajkowski herself, and over 100 students. Many have donated time, as well as materials and money.

Now Mike's trying to raise money to advance the project. With Mary as his grant writer, he's applied to the Clorox Corporation for a grant of up to $50,000.

The largesse of Clorox is of course tied to marketing its products. And it's drawn out the Barnstable community.

The grant is awarded via an online vote. You can vote at powerabrightfuture.clorox.com, and clicking on "View all nominees." Then type "Marstons Mills, MA" in the Location Search box; or "Barnstable United" in the Keyword Search box. Then click on "Vote for this." You can also vote by texting 2398pbf to 95248.

You can vote once every 24 hours at each site until Dec. 19.

Seven winners will be announced early next year. The overall top vote getter will receive $50,000. Additionally, the winning vote-getter for each of three categories — "create," "play" and "explore" — will win $25,000. Barnstable United is competing in the "create" category. Clorox judges will also pick three more $25,000 winners — again, one in each category — based on the merits of the proposals.

It's the holiday season, a time of giving. And here's a way to give without it costing you anything (although sending a check would be welcome). You don't even have to volunteer to help by shoveling (although that would be welcome, too). You just need to go online to vote, or vote by texting. Or both. Every day.

Sean Gonsalves did a nice column with a lot more detail on the project in the Nov. 11 Cape Cod Times. And the Cape Cod Times followed with an editorial on Friday. Mike carried and posted banners at the annual Thanksgiving Barnstable-Falmouth football game. He urges anyone who will listen to vote.

Word is spreading. Teachers, alumni, current students, parents, relatives and friends are voting. So it's truly a community effort.

At this writing, the Barnstable United project has been climbing in the standings. It's in fifth place among 397 schools that have applied for grants in the "create" category (overall, 2,500 schools are participating). So winning is doable. Mike and the kids just need your votes — every day between now and Dec. 19.

(Confluence of interest: my son is an alumnus of Barnstable High. Our family has supported Mike Gyra's projects over the years, and supports this one, too.)

Barry Paster owns Bridge Creek Capital Management LLC, a fee-only stock and bond portfolio manager. His column also appears on www.capecodonline.com He may be reached at P.O. Box 648, West Barnstable, MA 02668; by phone at 508-362-9566; and by email at management@bridgecreekcapital.com.